Senior PTI leader Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati claims he was arrested and tortured by agencies because he tweeted against Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.
According to the details, the PTI lawmaker was arrested over his alleged controversial tweets after a case was filed by the agency’s Cybercrime Wing (CCW) late last night. Earlier today, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Azam Swati from his home in the federal capital.
The PTI leader, soon after his arrest was presented before senior civil judge Shabbir Bhatti’s court in the federal capital where his counsel claimed that the “worst” torture was inflicted upon the senator and that he was arrested solely on political grounds.
Read more: Imaan Mazari exposes custodial torture by Islamabad Police
While talking to the media, Senator Azam Swati said that he did not break any law, nor did he violate the constitution, he only took the name of Gen Bajwa. He also claimed that he was tortured by the agencies and that he was stripped naked.
PTI's Azam Swati says he has been arrested because he tweeted against Gen Bajwa.
Swati claims he has been tortured. pic.twitter.com/0updA79NSF
— Hamza Azhar Salam (@HamzaAzhrSalam) October 13, 2022
Azam Swati is the third senior leader of the Imran Khan-led PTI who has been arrested by the FIA after Saifullah Khan Nyazee and Hamid Zaman. Pertinent to mention that Nyazee and Zaman were arrested for their alleged involvement in the prohibited funding case.
PTI condemns the arrest of Azam Swati
PTI leaders are taking to Twitter to condemn the arrest of the senior senator, Azam Swati. They are raising concerns over how torture by agencies has become frequent in Pakistan.
“The arrest of Senator Azam Swati is condemnable. He should be released immediately,” PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said.
سینیٹر اعظم سواتی کی گرفتاری قابلِ مزمت ہے. ان کو فوری طور پر رہا کیا جائے
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 13, 2022
“Reports of torture on Azam Swati are disturbing. Torturing political prisoners has become a new normal in Pakistan,” Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.
Reports of torture on Azam Swati are disturbing torturing political prisoners has has become a new normal in Pakistan.
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 13, 2022
“Arresting and then stripping and beating Senator Azam Swati – he is elderly. He is a grandparent. Think for a moment what his family is going through – we know we are weaker than you and can’t do anything. Therefore, I request you to arrest any young PTI member, including me but do not treat the elderly like this,” Dr. Shahbaz Gill said. He himself was tortured while in police custody.
Read more: PTI shares evidence of Shahbaz Gill’s torture with int’l human rights bodies
سینیٹر اعظم سواتی کی گرفتاری اور پھر انہیں ننگا کر کے مارنا- وہ ایک بزرگ ہیں۔ نانا اور دادا ہیں۔ ایک لمحے کو سوچیں ان کی فیملی پر کیا گزر رہی- ہمیں پتہ ہے ہم آپ سے کمزور ہیں کچھ نہیں کر سکتے۔ اس لئے آپ سے استدا ہے کہ مجھ سمیت PTI کہ کسی جوان کو پکڑ لیں لیکن بزرگ کو ننگا نہ کریں
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) October 13, 2022